Security document voiding system

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a system for voiding a security document. The system voids a security document by supplying heat to a localized area of a specially configured security document. According to the invention, conductive material is formed on a document so that at least one relatively higher resistance section is formed on the document. When a voltage is supplied to the document, a relatively high amount of heat is supplied to the document about the area of the relatively higher resistance section. Heat-sensitive material may be formed about the location of the relatively higher resistance section such that the heat sensitive material becomes visible or changes color when a voltage is supplied to the document.

This is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No.09/087,337 filed May 29, 1998, the entirety of which is incorporatedherein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to a system for voidingsecurity documents and particularly to a system for voiding a lotterygame ticket.

2. Background of the Prior Art

“Scratch-off” lottery games continue to grow in popularity. These gameshave become an important source of revenue for national, state, andlocal governments throughout the world.

While there are hundreds of different styles of these games, there arecharacteristics common to the majority of scratch-off lottery gametickets manufactured. The majority of scratch-off lottery game ticketsmanufactured have topside and bottomside surfaces, an identificationcode bar code symbol formed on one of the surfaces, at least one “playarea” formed on one of the surfaces, and scratch-off material formedover the play area. In playing a game, a user scratches off at leastsome of the scratch-off material to reveal indicia icons of the playarea. In most scratch-off lottery games, the ticket is previouslydesignated as a winner or nonwinner independent of where scratch-offmaterial is removed. These games are known as “instant” ticket lotterygames. In more sophisticated scratch-off lottery games known as“probability” games, the win/loss status of a game is dependent at leastin part on the areas of a ticket where scratch-off material is removed.

As popular as scratch-off lottery game tickets have become, theirpopularity has been limited by two major problems. The first majorproblem is that present methods for processing such tickets after playare inefficient. The second major problem is fraud.

According to one popular method for processing a scratch-off lotterygame ticket, the game ticket is validated (verified as a winning ticket)by reading the identification code bar code symbol on the ticket withuse of a hand-held bar code reader to determine the identification codeof a ticket, then the identification code is manually punched into acomputer, which processes the identification code to determine if theticket is a winner. This process is subject to failure by key entryerror, and in addition is time consuming. Speed is an important factorin the processing of game tickets considering that game tickets areprocessed in convenience stores or grocery stores whose successfulbusiness depends to a large extent on the speed with which customers canbe successfully serviced.

With regard to the problem of fraud, fraudulent schemes involvinglottery game tickets are oftentimes carried out by persons authorized tohandle the tickets prior to their official sale. Such persons may be forexample, employees of a game ticket manufacturer, employees of a ticketdistributor, convenience or grocery store sales clerks, or store owners.These persons are herein referred to as “agents” of lottery game ticketsales or ticket agents. Ticket agents have been observed to employvarious “peeking” techniques to determine the form of indicia icons of aplay area and therefore the win/loss status of game tickets prior totheir sale in order to separate winning tickets from losing ticketsbefore playing known winning tickets or selectively selling knownwinning tickets to themselves or to an accomplice. In probability games,the peeking schemes can be carried out by game players to determinewhich sections of scratch-off material need to be removed in order tomake a game ticket a winning ticket.

Several types of “peeking” fraudulent schemes involve “tampering” ofgame tickets. In a tampering scheme, a ticket agent or probability gameplayer determines the win/loss status of a ticket by removing at least aportion of scratch-off material from a game ticket to determine the formof indicia icons of a play area.

In other peeking schemes, a ticket agent or probability game playerattempts to determine the win/loss status of a game ticket withouttampering with or materially altering the game ticket.

Existing manufacturing techniques for making lottery tickets, andtechniques for processing them cannot adequately prevent peeking fraudschemes such as those described from being successfully carried out.Fortunately, to some extent peeking schemes carried out by ticket agentscan be checked by controlling the packaging and distribution of suchtickets and by tracking winning tickets. Therefore, “instant” lotterygames (wherein the win/loss status of a ticket is determined at the timethe ticket is manufactured) remain viable in spite of the persistence ofpeeking schemes.

Probability type lottery games (wherein the win/loss status of a ticketdepends in part on the areas of the scratch-off material which areremoved) will not become viable, however, until substantially all of thepossible peeking schemes can either be adequately prevented oradequately detected. Making viable probability type scratch-off lotterygames would be expected to enhance the enjoyment derived from theplaying of scratch-off lottery games, and therefore the popularity andrevenue generating capacity of such games.

In addition to peeking schemes, scratch-off lottery ticket gamingindustry is threatened by the problem of counterfeiting of game ticketsby ticket agents and game players. In a common counterfeiting schemeinvolving instant game tickets, parts of winning tickets arefraudulently combined with parts of losing tickets to constructcounterfeit winning tickets. According to one popular scheme, theidentification code bar code symbol (or copy thereof) from a winningticket is attached to a losing ticket. In a probability game, indiciaicons can be transported from one ticket to another to create theappearance of a winning ticket having the appropriate combination oficons indicating a winning ticket.

There is a need for an apparatus for processing lottery game ticketsmore quickly than is possible with current methods. There is also a needfor improved game ticket structures, processing methods and apparatusesfor preventing or detecting the peeking into the form of indicia iconsof a game ticket, and for preventing or detecting the construction ofcounterfeit game tickets.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1-1 shows a skin perspective diagram of an embodiment of a documentreader according to the invention having a lottery game ticket insertedtherein;

FIGS. 2-1 to 2-4 illustrate examples of lottery game tickets.

FIG. 2-5 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of a prior artscratch-off lottery game ticket.

FIG. 2-6 is a top view of a lottery game ticket including play areashaving scratch-off material formed thereon according to a predeterminedpattern;

FIG. 2-7 is an exploded top view of a play area of a game ticket havingscratch-off material formed according to a predetermined pattern;

FIGS. 2-8 and 2-9 are exploded cross-sectional views of game ticketsmanufactured according to an improved design;

FIG. 2-10 is a top view of another lottery ticket;

FIG. 3-1 shows a functional schematic diagram of a first materialdetection system according to the invention;

FIG. 3-2 shows a lottery game ticket having a section of scratch-offmaterial removed;

FIG. 3-3 shows a video image of the ticket of FIG. 3-3 produced by theimaging system described with reference to FIG. 3-1;

FIG. 3-4 shows a functional schematic diagram of another detectionsystem of the invention;

FIG. 3-5 is a perspective view of a game ticket having scratch-offmaterial;

FIG. 3-6 shows a functional schematic diagram of yet another detectionsystem of the invention;

FIG. 3-7 is an exploded cross-sectional side view of a game ticket;

FIG. 3-8 illustrates a game ticket when viewed under white light and redlight;

FIG. 3-9 illustrates a game ticket when viewed under white light, redlight and green light;

FIGS. 3-10 and 3-11 are video images that have been subjected to atampering scheme.

FIG. 4-1 shows a functional diagram of a document processing apparatushaving a non-contact branding system incorporated therein;

FIG. 4-2 shows a lottery game ticket according to the invention havingbrandable material formed thereon according to such a pattern that anidentification code bar code symbol is obscured when the brandable inkis excited;

FIGS. 4-3 and 4-4 show security documents according to the inventionhaving conductive ink formed thereon according to such a pattern that alocalized area of the document is supplied with heat when voltage isapplied across the document.

FIGS. 4-5 and 4-6 show, respectively top cross-sectional and front viewfunctional schematic diagram of a document processing apparatusincluding a voltage source for branding a document configured accordingto the design described with reference to FIGS. 4-3 and 4-4;

FIG. 4-7 shows a lottery game ticket having brandable material formedthereon in a pattern differing from that shown in FIG. 4-2;

FIG. 5-1 is a cross-sectional side view functional schematic diagram ofa document processing apparatus according to one embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5-2 is an exemplary block electrical diagram of a documentprocessing apparatus;

FIG. 5-3 is a block diagram illustrating a possible communication systemincluding a document processing apparatus, a local host processor and aremote host processor;

FIG. 5-4 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary mainprogram for a document processing apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5-5 is an exemplary lookup table which may be incorporated into adocument processing apparatus according to the invention;

FIG. 5-6 is a cross-sectional side view functional schematic diagram ofa document processing apparatus according to another embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 5-7 is a cross-sectional side-view functional schematic diagram ofa document processing apparatus according to yet another embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 6-1 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an eximplarycapture/decode/test routine according to the invention;

FIG. 6-2 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary “testfor scratch-off removal” subroutine according to the invention;

FIG. 6-3 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary“tamper detection” subroutine according to the invention;

FIG. 6-4 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an alternative“test for scratch-off material removal” subroutine according to theinvention; and

FIG. 6-5 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of an exemplary“Branding” subroutine according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

I. Summary and Overview

Referring to FIG. 1-1, the inventions described herein relate tosecurity documents 110 and to apparatuses 112 and methods for processingthe same. In particular, the invention relates to “scratch-off” lotterygame tickets and to apparatuses for automatically reading and processingscratch-off lottery game tickets.

Some inventions described herein relate to improved designs for lotterygame tickets. For example, in one invention described herein a gameticket is provided with a specialized layer which prevents peeking intothe win/loss status of a game. In another invention, the ticket includesa specially adapted scratch-off material which renders easily detectedthe fraud of peeking into the win/loss status of a game by way ofremoving and replacing a section of scratch-off material.

Other inventions described herein relate to document security systemsrequiring specialized adaptations of both a game ticket 202 (FIGS. 2-1to 2-10) and of an apparatus 112 for processing game tickets. Forexample, in one invention, game ticket 202 is provided with scratch-offmaterial having a specialized additive incorporated therein, andapparatus 112 includes an imaging system which is specially adapted todetect for the presence of the additive incorporated in to the gameticket. In another document security system, ticket 202 is provided witha brandable material which is normally invisible but which becomesvisible when exposed to heat, and conductive material formed over asurface of the ticket such that a relatively high resistance area ofconductive material is formed over the area of the brandable material.An apparatus for processing such a game ticket includes a voltage sourcefor supplying voltage to the ticket so that the high resistance sectionof the conductive material heats up to locally supply heat to thebrandable ink.

Still other inventions described herein relate to improvements todocument processing apparatuses. In one embodiment, a security documentprocessing apparatus is described having three imaging assemblies alloperated under the control of a processor-based controller. The firsttwo imaging assemblies are dedicated, respectively, for generating imagesignals representing the topside and the bottomside of the ticket asseen in visible light while a third imaging assembly is dedicated forgenerating image signals indicative of the material composition of thegame ticket. In other embodiments, a controller controlling a documentprocessing apparatus is in communication with a memory space comprisinga lookup table. The lookup table correlates the identification code forthe present game ticket with flag status indicators for controlling theoperations of a processing apparatus's main program and with physicalcharacteristic game data. By providing a lookup table correlatingidentification codes with flag status indicators and physicalcharacteristic game data, the operations performed by apparatus 112 andthe particular methods for performing those operations are madedependent on the identification code of the game ticket being processed.

While the inventions described herein relate specifically to lotterygame tickets, skilled artisans will appreciate that many of thestructures, methods, systems, and apparatuses described herein areequally applicable to other types of security documents, such as checksand other negotiable instruments, paper currency, entertainment andsporting event tickets, test forms, and merchandise coupons.

II. Lottery Game Tickets

Lottery game tickets of the type which apparatus 112 is adapted toprocess are shown in FIGS. 2-1 through 2-4. Lottery game tickets aremanufactured in a variety of different styles, each style correspondingto a different lottery game, e.g. “Instant Winner®” (FIG. 2-1), “LottoGame” (FIG. 2-2), “Christmas Game” (FIG. 2-3), “MAGIC” (FIG. 2-4). Thereare literally hundreds of styles of instant lottery game ticketsmanufactured throughout the world. Each style of game ticket includes aunique indicia pattern printed thereon. Instant lottery game tickets aremanufactured in many sizes, depending on the style of the ticket.Lottery game tickets range in size from about 1.5″×3″ to about 5″×8″.

In spite of the wide variety of indicia patterns, and sizes of instantlottery game tickets, there are numerous similarities between instantlottery game tickets of the various styles. All instant lottery ticketsof the type described include topside 204 and bottomside 206 surfaceshaving indicia patterns formed on theses surfaces, and an identificationcode bar code symbol 208 formed on one of the surfaces. Furthermore, allinstant lottery game tickets of the type described include at least oneplay area 210 formed on one of the surfaces. Instant lottery gametickets of the type described typically include at least one butnormally more than one play area on the topside of the ticket. Forexample, ticket 202 of FIG. 2-1 includes three play areas 210-A, 210-B,and 210-C. The play area of each ticket is covered by scratch-offmaterial when the ticket is manufactured. In playing a game, a playerremoves at least a portion of the scratch-off material to reveal indiciaprinted in the play area of the ticket which is covered by scratch-offmaterial when the ticket is first manufactured. In one common style ofgame, this indicia comprises a plurality of icons 223 whose form mayvary from ticket to ticket of a given style. These icons are referred toherein as variable data icons. The player of the ticket becomes awarethat a ticket is a winner if a certain pattern of variable data iconsare revealed when the scratch-off material is removed. For example, aplayer becomes aware that the ticket of the style shown in FIG. 2-1 is awinner if three identical indicia icons are included in play area 210-A.

Identification code bar code symbol 208 encodes data pertaining to agame ticket 202. When lottery game tickets of the type described firstbecame available then symbol 208, encoded in a well known symbology,contained information which revealed whether the ticket was a winner ornot. This left the tickets susceptible to a fraud in which a ticketagent read the bar code to determine the win/loss status of game ticketsprior to sale. In the majority of lottery game tickets manufacturedtoday, the identification code bar code symbol 208 encodes only a ticketidentification code. In validating (determining the win/loss status) oftickets of this type, store clerks typically determine theidentification code of a ticket using a prior art bar code readingdevice, then manually key in the identification number into a computerwhich is configured to validate the ticket by applying theidentification code to a validating algorithm stored in a memory spaceof the computer. The features of the validating algorithm are keptsecret and updated periodically so that the win/loss status of a gameticket cannot be determined by determining this identification code.

In most lottery game tickets of the type described having topside andbottomside surfaces 204, 206, identification bar code symbol 208, atleast one play area 210 and scratch-off material formed thereon, thewin/loss status of the ticket is predetermined at the time of ticketmanufacture. Lottery games in which the win/loss status of the game isdetermined at the time of ticket manufacture are commonly referred to as“instant” lottery games and the tickets associated with these games arecommonly referred to as “instant” lottery game tickets. The locations onan instant lottery game ticket where scratch-off material is removed isirrelevant to the win/loss status of the ticket. In a typical playing ofthis type of game the player merely scratches off substantially allavailable scratch-off material of the game ticket to determine whetherthe ticket is a winner.

However, in more sophisticated “scratch-off dependent” lottery ticketgames, which are expected to become more popular as processingapparatuses such as the ones described herein become available, then thelocation(s) of scratch-off material removal determine, at least in part,whether the ticket is a winner. In scratch-off dependent games, then allor some tickets can be designated as “possible winners” at the time ofticket manufacture. Lottery games in which the win/loss status of a gameis dependent at least in part on the location(s) of scratch-off materialremoval are commonly referred to as “probability-type” lottery games. Anexample of a probability game ticket is shown in FIG. 2-10. It should beunderstood that the game ticket 202 shown in FIG. 2-10 is forillustrative purposes only and other constructions are contemplated.Game ticket 202 in the example given includes one large play area 210having scratch-off material applied thereto. In playing this type ofgame, a player removes only select portions of the available scratch-offmaterial. Play area 210 includes a plurality of “cells” 213 which aredelimited by sections 215 of scratch-off material that should not beremoved during the playing of a game. A player wins a probability-typelottery game by removing scratch-off material from the appropriatecells. In an alternative design for a probability lottery game ticket,the ticket may include a plurality of play areas, each play areadefining a single cell. These single cell play areas are commonlyreferred to as play cells. It will be recognized that unless all peekingschemes are either prevented or detected, there is a substantial risk ofloss on every probability game ticket sold.

Referring now to structural aspects of lottery game tickets, an enlargedcross sectional diagram illustrating the material composition of atypical prior art lottery game ticket 202 is shown in FIG. 2-5. Gameticket 202 includes a substrate 218, and several layers of materiallayered over the substrate. Cross sectional diagram 219 shows a boundary220 between a play area 210 of a game ticket and a non-play area 222 toillustrate that the play area 210 has a greater thickness than non-playarea 222.

Formed directly on substrate 218 in play area 210 is a first ink layer226 which forms the indicia which will be covered by scratch-offmaterial. Indicia patterns of this layer comprise, typically, variabledata indicia icons 223 as seen in game ticket play area 210-A of FIG.2-1. First ink layer will be referred to herein as indicia icon layer226.

Second layer 228, known as the release layer, comprises a translucentmaterial such as printable varnish. The purpose of this layer is toprotect indicia icons 223 of indicia icon layer 226 so that indiciaicons are not removed when scratch-off layers of the game ticket areremoved.

The layers of material over the release layer 228 comprise thescratch-off material 211 of a game ticket. Scratch-off material 211 in atypical game ticket comprises 7 layers. Three layers, layers 230, 231and 232, comprise carbon black, while three layers 234, 235 and 236comprise white ink. The function of the three carbon layers 230, 231 and232 is to prevent light from passing through the game ticket. Withoutthe three carbon layers, a ticket agent or a probability game playercould fraudulently determine the form of the indicia icons 223 bybacklighting ticket 202 with a high radiance light source and viewingthe form of indicia icons through layers 234, 235, 236 and 238.

Three white ink layers 234, 235 and 236 provide the function of aprimer. They form a light colored background and enable overlyingindicia or outer layer 238 to be visible when formed on layer 236.Overlying indicia or outer layer 238 is the layer visible on the surfaceof ticket 202 before scratch-off material is removed. It is typically ofuniform consistency and typically comprises four color graphics ink.

The layers of game ticket 202 can be formed using any one of a number ofpossible printing methods, for example, by way of gravure printing, silkscreen printing, or offset printing. Most preferably, however, layersare printed on ticket 202 by way of a flexographic printing using aflexographic printing press. Although printing parameters such as layerthickness cannot be tightly controlled using flexographic printing,flexographic printing provides high volume printing at low cost.

It is stressed that the cross section diagram of FIG. 2-5 illustratesthe construction of a typical prior art game ticket, but that manypossible designs for lottery game tickets are possible that arefunctionally equivalent to the design shown in FIG. 2-5. For example,the three carbon black layers 230, 231 and 232 can be substituted for bya single light blocking layer comprising carbon black or another lightblocking material having light blocking characteristics equivalent tothe three layers 230, 231 and 232 in combination. The function ofpriming layers 234, 235 and 236 can likewise be provided by more orfewer layers having equivalent optical characteristic. Printing eachlayer 226-238, at substantially equal thicknesses simplifies theprinting process.

An embodiment of a possible improved design for a lottery game ticket isshown in FIGS. 2-6 through 2-8. In this embodiment, scratch-off materialcomprises light blocking material that is formed on play area 210 in apredetermined fragmented pattern. Light blocking material 240 (FIGS. 2-7and 2-8) typically comprises carbon black, but also may comprise othermaterial which prevents light from passing through a game ticket.

By the light blocking material being formed on a game ticket in a“fragmented pattern”, it is meant that some regions of the play areawill have light blocking material formed thereon and some regions of theplay area will not be covered by light blocking material when the ticketis first manufactured. As shown in FIGS. 2-6 through 2-8, light blockingmaterial 240 should be formed in play area 210 in a sufficient amount sothat the light blocking material partially obscures indicia icons(variable data) of the game ticket. However, light blocking material 240should also be formed in sufficiently small amounts so that discerniblespaces 242 are present between regions of the play area covered by lightblocking material and regions not covered by light blocking material, asseen in the enlarged play area view of FIG. 2-7.

Light blocking material 240 may comprise a single layer or multiplelayers. The predetermined pattern with which light blocking material isformed on ticket 202-2-6 may take on a variety of different forms. Inthe example of FIGS. 2-6 and 2-7, light blocking material 240 is formedin a grid pattern comprising intersecting horizontal and vertical“lines” of light blocking material. The light blocking material can alsobe formed, for example, in a parallel line pattern, a dot pattern, aspiral line pattern, etc.

As will be described in section III herein, applying light blockingmaterial in a predetermined fragmented pattern facilitates machinedetectability of a “lifting” tampering scheme carried out by a ticketagent. In a lifting tampering scheme, a ticket agent or probability gameticket player removes a section of the scratch-off material, thenreapplies the scratch-off material or replaces the scratch-off material.

In Section III, a material detection imaging system is described thatcan accurately construct image data representations representative ofthe pattern of scratch-off material present on a game ticket. It isrecognized that if scratch-off material is applied uniformly to a gameticket then image data representing a play area prior to removal ofscratch-off material would not be readily distinguishable from imagedata representing a play area comprising uniformly reapplied oruniformly applied replacement scratch-off material if the replacementscratch-off has light blocking characteristics similar to that of theoriginal scratch-off material.

By contrast, image data representing a play area prior to scratch-offremoval in the case scratch-off material is applied in a predeterminedfragmented pattern would be readily distinguishable from image datarepresenting a tampered ticket wherein a section of scratch-off materialapplied in a predetermined fragmented pattern is removed and replacedwith uniformly applied counterfeit scratch-off material.

One possible drawback with the game ticket configuration of FIG. 2-6 isthat indicia icons 223 are partially visible through spaces 242 betweenareas of a play area covered by scratch-off material. An embodiment of agame ticket 202-2-8 adapted such that the form of indicia icons cannotbe readily determined by viewing sections of exposed icons throughspaces 242 is illustrated in FIG. 2-8. The embodiment of FIG. 2-8includes an additional obscuring ink layer 251. The major requirement ofobscuring ink layer 251 is it includes a level of transmissivity greaterthan that of light blocking material 240 but less than that of primerlayers 234, 235 and 236. Preferably, obscuring ink layer 251 includes alevel of transmissivity at about the level of transmissivity of indiciaicon layer 226. Obscuring ink layer may be formed directly on substrate218 or over any layer 226, 228, 230, 231, 232, 234, 235 and 236, but ispreferably formed on release layer 228 or on a layer above release layer228 so that indicia icon layer is not obscured by obscuring layer whenscratch-off material 211 is removed.

FIG. 2-9 shows another embodiment of an improved game ticket. Theembodiment of FIG. 2-9 is configured so that the game ticket isimpervious to electrostatic fraud discussed in the background herein.Game ticket 202-2-9 includes a neutralizing layer 252. A requirement ofneutralizing layer 252 is it includes a chemical composition that issubstantially identical or equivalent to that of indicia icon layer 226.There is not a requirement, however, that neutralizing layer 252 have asimilar opacity or transmissivity level as indicia icon layer 226 inorder to prevent electrostatic fraud. Neutralizing layer 252 may beformed on substrate 218 or on any one of layers 226, 228, 230, 231, 232,234, 235 and 236. However, if layer 252 is formed below release layer226 then neutralizing layer 252 should be formed to have an opacity lessthan that of indicia icon layer 226 so that indicia icons 223 arevisible when scratch-off material 211 is removed.

Indicia patterns formed on instant lottery game tickets as can be seenfrom FIGS. 2-1 to 2-4, and 2-10 can be quite intricate. Furthermore,there is no standard pattern of indicia for the various styles of gametickets. The outer layer 238 of scratch-off material covering the playarea of a game ticket can be of any indicia pattern and colorcombination and the indicia icon layer underneath the scratch-offmaterial can comprise any indicia pattern or any color combination aswell. Therefore, in prior art game tickets there is no standard contrastpattern in lottery game tickets under white light or under narrow bandillumination corresponding to either the condition of a scratch-offmaterial being scratched or unscratched. As will be seen herein, animportant step in the validating and/or authenticating a lottery gameticket is to accurately capture data indicating the locations of a gameticket's play area having scratch-off material removed. Section IIIherein describes various systems for capturing image data whichindicated the location of a play area having scratch-off materialremoved which allow for game tickets of varying styles to bemanufactured in varying indicia patterns and in color combinations thatvary from ticket style to ticket style.

III. Material Detection Systems

A light transmissivity based scratch-off material detection systemgenerally indicated at 302, which is adapted to capture imagesrepresenting a play area of a lottery game ticket, is shown in thefunctional schematic diagram of FIG. 3-1. System 302 includes an imagesensor 304, and a specialized light source 306. System 302 may alsoinclude imaging optics 307, illumination optics 308, and a mechanism(not shown in FIG. 3-1) for positioning game ticket 202 in a fixed ormoving position in the optical path between light source 306 and imagesensor 304. System 302 is adapted to capture images which can beprocessed to determine the regions in a play area of a game ticket inwhich scratch-off material has been removed.

Light source 306 is selected so that light rays emanating from source306 are transmitted substantially through each layer 218, 226, 228, 230,231, 232, 234, 235, 236 and 238 of the ticket (as shown in FIG. 2-5)excepting light blocking layers 230, 231 and 232. It has been found thatwhen light source 306 emits light in the visible spectrum of betweenabout 200 nm and 1000 nm, then very little light is transmitted throughany of the layers of document 202. However, when light source 306 isselected to emit light having wavelengths longer than visible lightwavelength, then a substantial amount of light is transmitted througheach layer of document 202, with the exception of light blocking layers230, 231 and 232 which block substantially all light emanating fromsource 306. Preferably light source 306 is selected to emit light in theinfrared light range in the spectrum of between about 0.75 μm and 1000μm. Most preferably, light source 306 is an infrared LED light source.Most commonly available image sensors can readily detect light rays inthe infrared light wavelength range.

Image sensor 304, which may be provided by virtually any off-the-shelf1D, 2D, or single pixel (photodetector) image sensor, is responsive toforms of light outside the visible light spectrum, including infraredlight. Accordingly, light rays which pass through regions of ticket 202not covered by scratch-off material will be detected by image sensor 304while light rays which are blocked by light blocking layer 230 will notbe detected by image sensor 304.

In the case where it is desired to determine whether a single point in aplay area contains scratch-off material, image sensor 304 may beprovided by a single element photodetector. In the case where it isdesired to determine whether a line or “slice” of a play area containsscratch-off material, then image sensor 304 may be provided by a singleelement photodetector and ticket 202 may be transported across the fieldof view of sensor, or else image sensor may be provided by a 1D N×1pixel array image sensor.

In the case where it is desired to capture comprehensive imageinformation corresponding to an entire play area, image sensor 304should be provided by a 1D or a 2D image sensor operating under thecontrol of a processor based control system which is adapted to capture2D bit map images representing the entire play area. An exemplaryembodiment of a 2D image capture system utilizing a 1D N×1 pixel arrayimage sensor as system sensor 304 is described in detail in Section Vherein.

FIG. 3-2 shows a lottery game ticket having a portion 209 of scratch-offmaterial removed from its play area 210, and FIG. 3-3 shows a digitalimage 312 corresponding to a bit map representation of ticket 202captured by a processor based controller in communication with an imagesensor disposed in accordance with the system of FIG. 3-1. It is seenfrom digital image 312 that image sensor 304 detects light raysemanating from source 306 which pass through game ticket 202 not blockedby light blocking layers 230-232 but does not detect light rays fromsource 306 that are blocked by light blocking layers 230-232 of theticket's scratch-off material. Thus, the region 209-d in the play areadigital representation 210-d having scratch-off material removed is inclear contrast with the region 211-d corresponding to an area of a playarea covered by scratch-off material. In the digital image of FIG. 3-3,the darkest light pixel value corresponding to regions in play area 210not covered by scratch-off material have brightness levels approximately2 times brighter than the lightest dark pixel values corresponding toregions in play area covered by scratch-off material. The high contrastin pixel values between pixels in a bit map corresponding to regions ina game ticket covered by scratch-off material and those not covered byscratch-off material enables certain patterns to be recognized in playarea image data which are indicative of various ticket tamperingschemes. Image processing algorithms which process high contrast playarea image data from imaging systems designed in accordance with thesystem shown in FIG. 3-1 are described in detail in Section V herein.

The amount of light that is transmitted through an area of a game ticketnot covered by scratch-off material varies greatly depending on thestyle of ticket, the materials of the ticket, the inks used, and theprinting method. Nevertheless, for most styles of tickets, image datacorresponding to an area of a ticket covered by scratch-off material isreadily distinguished from image data corresponding to an area notcovered by scratch-off material in a captured digital representationcaptured from an imaging system in accordance with FIG. 3-1. Thecontrast in a digital representation between an area of a game ticketcovered by scratch-off material and an area not covered by scratch-offmaterial can be enhanced with use of a simple thresholding procedure.For purposes of illustration, the brightest scratch-off representationpixel in the example of FIG. 3-3 has a gray scale value of about 22while the darkest non-scratch-off region pixel has a gray scale value ofabout 40. Contrast of the digital representation can be improved bysetting each pixel value less than about 30 to p=0, and by setting eachpixel value above about 30 to p=255.

An alternative system, generally indicated at 330, for detectingscratch-off material on a game ticket is described with reference toFIGS. 3-4 and 3-5. In this system, a game ticket is specially configuredfor use in system 330. In particular, scratch-off material 331 of gameticket 202-3-4 is provided with an additive that emits radiant energy(which may be visible or nonvisible light) in a second band ofwavelengths when radiated by radiant energy in a first band ofwavelengths. Additives having such characteristics include luminophorsor phosphors. The additive material is preferably incorporated in outerlayer 238 of scratch-off material 211.

In other embodiments, the additive that emits radiant energy in thesecond band of wavelengths can be incorporated in a layer of scratch-offmaterial other than outer layer 238 or in a specialized layer of formedmaterial beneath the scratch-off material.

Energy source 332 of system 330 is selected to emit radiant energy inthe range of wavelengths causing the additive to emit radiant energy atthe second wavelength band. Image sensor 334 meanwhile, may be providedby an off-the-shelf single pixel photodetector, 1×N pixel array imagesensor or N×N pixel array. Receive optics 336 associated with imagesensor should include a light filter for filtering out light not in thesecond band of wavelengths. In the system of FIG. 3-4, the second bandof wavelengths at which the document emits may be a band of wavelengthsidentical to or which encompasses or overlaps the first wavelength bandat which source 332 emits.

In a preferred embodiment, system 330 is controlled by a processor-basedcontrol unit which controls a 1×N pixel array image sensor, and capturesimage data from image signals generated by sensor 334. The controlleralso typically controls a transport mechanism for transporting adocument across a field of view of sensor so that the controller canconstruct 2D images from 1D “slice” image signals generated by sensor334. Such a system is described in detail in Section V herein.

Another scratch-off material detection imaging system for producing highcontrast images representing a play area, which, like the system of FIG.3-4 includes a game ticket specially configured for use in system isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 3-6 through 3-9. System 340 comprisesimage sensor 342 which, like image sensors 304 and 334 may be virtuallyany commercially available image sensor, but preferably a 1D lineararray image sensor which is controlled to generate image signals used inconstructing 2D images. Illumination source 344, meanwhile, is a narrowband illumination source, typically a red light source or a green lightsource.

As mentioned in Section II, it is preferred that the play area of a gameticket 202 comprises colorful patterns, both on the visible portion ofouter layer 238 and variable data icon layer 226. Providing colorfulpatterns of indicia with outer layer 238 on and with indicia icon layer226 enhances the attractiveness of lottery game tickets. Unfortunately,if the materials used for producing the colors of a play area in variousstyles of tickets are selected based on the color of those materials inwhite light, and the color selection varies from ticket style to ticketstyle, as is the case with prior art tickets, then a conventionalimaging assembly will not produce images in which a high contrast isapparent for all tickets of various styles between pixels representing aplay area section covered by scratch-off material and an area havingscratch-off material removed.

In a game ticket 202-3-6 for use in the system of FIG. 3-6, themanufacturing of ticket 202-3-6 is controlled so that the colors of theexposed layers of a game ticket (either indicia icon layer 226′ or outerlayer 238′), for each of various styles of ticket, exhibit predeterminedreflectance patterns under exposure to a specific narrow band source ofillumination. Different colors, and different shades of colors as seenin white light can have substantially identical or similar reflectancecharacteristics when illuminated by a narrow band illumination source.According to the system of FIG. 3-6, the manufacturing specifications oftickets for various styles of tickets are controlled so that the outerlayer 238′ and indicia icon layer 226′ have patterns and colors that mayvary for each style of ticket, but predetermined reflectancecharacteristics within an acceptable range for each style of ticket.Preferably the reflectance characteristics of a play area outer layer238′ and icon layer 226′ are substantially similar within an acceptablerange for each of the various styles of tickets manufactured, so thatfor each style of ticket, a reflectance measurement under illuminationby a specific narrow band source at a given point in a ticket within acertain range indicates the presence of, or the absence of, scratch-offmaterial at that given point for all ticket styles manufactured inaccordance with the detection system.

The color as seen in white light and reflectance characteristics of theexposed portion of outer layer 238′ and icon layer 226′ can beinfluenced by a number of different factors, for example, the thicknessof the layer formed, the type of material used in forming the exposedlayers, the opacity of the layer on which the exposed layer is formed,and the absorption characteristics of the layer on which the exposedlayer is formed. In general, the color of the exposed portion of outerlayer 238′ and icon layer 226′ can be adequately controlled by assuringthat substrate 218 and priming layers 234, 235 and 236 are highly opaquewhen layers 238′ and 226′ are formed thereon, and by assuring thatpriming layer 236 has dried sufficiently when layer 238′ is printedthereon.

Furthermore, it is understood that the indicia patterns of the play areaof a game ticket do not have to be formed by way of printing ink layers.For example, the colors of a game ticket's play area can also becontrolled by dying areas of a document according to a predeterminedmethod.

In one illustrative embodiment, all styles of tickets in a group oftickets are manufactured so that all exposed colors of outer layer 238′for each style of ticket have a first reflectance measurement whenilluminated in a specific narrow band of light, and all colors ofindicia icon layer 226′ for each style of ticket have a secondreflectance measurement when illuminated in the same narrow band. Forexample, a group of tickets may be manufactured so that all colors ofouter layer for each style of ticket exhibit about 100% reflectance tored light, and all colors of indicia icon layer 226′ exhibit about 0%reflectance to red light.

A one cell play area designed in accordance with this example, underwhite and red light lighting conditions is illustrated in FIG. 3-8. FIG.3-8 is a grey copy of a color image but is useful in illustrating theinvention. Under white light, indicia patterns 346 and 347 are presentin the visible portions of both outer layer 238′ of scratch-off materialand in indicia icon layer 226′. However, under red light illumination,outer layer 238′ is uniformly white and icon layer 226′ is uniformlyblack. When a portion of scratch-off material is removed, then theexposed portion icon layer 226′, appearing uniformly black, is indiscernible contrast with scratch-off material, appearing uniformlywhite.

Of course, the colors of the ticket do not have to exhibit precisereflectance (such as about 0% or about 100% reflectance) characteristicsunder narrow band illumination for the system to be operational. Once agrey scale bit map is captured from image sensor 344, the pixel valuescan be subjected to a thresholding procedure to binarize pixel values ofthe bit map or to otherwise convert pixel values within a range of pixelvalues to a discrete pixel value. Thus, the colors of layer 238′ andlayer 226′ can be within any reflectance measurement range under narrowband illumination as long as the reflectance measurement ranges forlayer 238′ and 226′ are consistent for each style of ticket that ismanufactured.

By exerting additional controls over the reflectance characteristics ofcolors forming outer layer 238′, and icon layer 226′, additionalinformation can be yielded through imaging of a ticket under narrow bandillumination. For example, the pattern color and background color ofeach of the outer layer 238′ and the icon layer 226′ can be selected tohave reflectance measurements at different values or within separateranges. In an illustrative example, the color or colors forming thebackground of the outer layer 238′ are made to have a reflectancemeasurement under red light of 100%, the colors(s) forming the indiciapattern of outer layer 238′ are made to have reflectance measurements ofabout 67%, the colors forming the background of icon layer 226′ are madeto have reflectance measurements of about 33%, while the colors formingindicia icons 223 are made to have reflectance measurements under anarrow band source illumination of about 0%.

In a system wherein the play areas of game tickets are manufactured incolors having four values or ranges of reflectance measurements undernarrow band illumination, then in an image captured from sensor 342, aregion of a play area covered by scratch-off material is in discerniblecontrast with a region not covered by scratch off, an indicia pattern349 of outer layer 238′ is in discernable contrast with background 348of outer layer and an indicia pattern 351 of indicia icon layer 226′ isin discernable contrast with background 350 of icon layer 226′.

Contrast, in a captured image, between several different sections (e.g.outer layer to indicia layer backgrounds, indicia layer pattern toindicia layer background, outer layer pattern to outer layer background)of a game ticket can also be provided by providing in system 340 morethan one narrow band illumination source as indicated by dashed lightsource 344′. For example, system 340 may include a red light source anda green light source.

Many colors (as seen in white light) have very different reflectancemeasurements when illuminated by different types of narrow bandillumination. For example, reddish shades as seen in white light tend toreflect about 100% of narrow band red light, but 0% green light. Greenshades as seen in white light reflect about 0% red light and about 100%green light. Other shades reflect about the same red light as greenlight. For example, yellows as seen in white light reflect about 100%red and green light whereas purple shades as seen in white light reflectabout 0% of red and green light.

By providing multiple sources of narrow band illumination, a first imagecan be captured under illumination by a first narrow band source thathas different contrast characteristics than a second image captured fromsensor 342 under illumination by a second narrow band source.

In the example of FIG. 3-9 (a grey copy of a color image is shown) thebackground 348 and pattern 349 of outer layer 238′ are 100% reflectiveto red light but under green light the background 348 is 100%reflective, while the pattern 349 is 0% reflective. The background 350and pattern 351 of indicia icon layer 226′ are 0% reflective to redlight, but under green light, the pattern is 100% reflective, while thebackground is 0% reflective. Thus, under red light, a contrast isapparent between an area covered by outer layer 238′ and an area whereindicia icon layer 226′ is exposed, while under green light, contrast isapparent between a pattern and background in both the outer layer 238′and in icon layer 226′, where the variable data indicia icon layer isexposed.

IV. Branding System

In one major aspect of the lottery game ticket reader of the presentinvention, lottery tickets are made to be “brandable” and apparatus 402for processing the tickets as shown in FIG. 4-1 includes a certainenergy source 404 which “brands” game tickets when processing them. A“brandable” game ticket is one that includes a material formed thereonwhich is invisible to the human eye before being exposed to the energysource, and which remains unactivated in ambient light, but whichbecomes visible when exposed to certain radiant energies such as heat orlight within a particular wavelength range. In the present invention, aradiant energy source, or “brander” 404 is incorporated into anautomatic game ticket processing apparatus 402 which may include atransport mechanism 406 for transporting tickets through apparatus, andcertain processing components, such as at least one imaging assembly 408and an associated controller (not shown) for capturing image datarepresenting a game ticket from image signals generated from imagingassembly, and for decoding any bar code symbols which may be included inthe image data. After being branded, the activated brandable material onthe ticket becomes visible to indicate to person handling that theticket has been previously played.

As shown in FIG. 4-2, game ticket 202 may have brandable ink formedthereon in accordance with the configuration described in U.S. Pat. No.5,109,153 to Johnsen et al., incorporated herein by reference. Johnsenet al. describe a lottery game ticket, or another document, whichincludes a machine readable bar code symbol. According to Johnsen etal., brandable material is formed directly on the bar code symbol atsuch a location that when the material is branded, the machine readablecode is rendered unreadable. The marking which becomes visible when theticket is branded provides two functions. First, the brandable materialwhen branded indicates to a ticket handler that the ticket has beenplayed. Second, the brandable material when branded can prevent machinereading of the bar code symbol on the ticket. In the embodiment shown inFIG. 4-2, brandable ink 412 shown in a branded state is formed on ticketover a bar code symbol 410 such that when branded the ink formscharacters of the word “void” and obscures symbol 410 so that the symbolcan be rendered unreadable by a machine reader.

In another embodiment, illustrated with reference to FIG. 4-7, brandablematerial 412′ shown in a branded state is also formed directly overidentification bar code symbol 410. However, according to thisembodiment, and contrary to the teachings to Johnsen et al., symbol 410is not rendered unreadable by a bar code machine reader when thebrandable material is branded. A document processing apparatusconfigured to process a ticket designed in accordance with theembodiment of FIG. 4-7 will, in general, be able to read the symbolafter the symbol is branded, and at the same time recognize that thesymbol has been branded by recognizing the pattern in which brandablematerial on the document is formed.

Either of the embodiments described with reference to FIG. 4-2 and FIG.4-7 are useful in preventing the fraud scheme in which a ticket agent orplayer removes a bar code symbol from a winning ticket and attaches thesymbol or a copy thereof to a losing ticket.

Brandable material may also be formed on a location of a ticket otherthan on symbol 410. When branded the existence of visible brandablematerial indicates to a visual observer that the ticket has been played.However, such embodiments are generally not preferred for the reasonthat they do not address the fraud of removing a winning symbol from aprocessed ticket and applying the symbol to a losing ticket.

The brandable material which is formed on game ticket can be provided,for example, by a reactive ink. Preferably, however, brandable materialis provided by thermochromatic ink.

The selection of the appropriate brander 404 or radiant energy sourcewill vary on the type of brandable material formed on game ticket 202.If the brandable material is of the type that becomes visible in ambientlight when exposed to a light source in a specific wavelength range,then brander 404 is provided by a light source that emits light in thatspecific wavelength range. If the brandable material is of the type thatis activated in response to heat, then brander 404 should be provided bya heat source. When the brandable ink is a thermally sensitive material(such as thermochromatic ink), then brander 404 may be a heat sourcesuch as a high intensity white light source that emits heat to atemperature sufficient to cause branding of the selected brandablematerial.

One possible drawback with the branding system of the functional diagramof FIG. 4-1 is that heat generated by brander 404 when provided by anenergy source emitting heat, may have a negative affect on thestructural integrity of game ticket 202, or on the various electricalcomponents of apparatus 402 over time. Thus, when brander is provided byan energy source giving off substantial heat, the source must becarefully selected and positioned so that source 404 gives off enoughheat to activate the brandable material on ticket 202 but not so muchthat the generated heat affects other material of ticket or othercomponents of the processing apparatus.

An alternative branding system in which heat is applied in comparativelysmall quantities to localized areas of a game ticket or of another typeof document such as a coupon, or a sporting or entertainment eventticket is described with reference to FIGS. 4-3 to 4-6. In the documentshown in FIG. 4-3, a conductive, printable material is formed ondocument 418 according to a predetermined pattern such that, when apotential is applied across ends of the document 418, there is arelatively high voltage drop in at least one localized area of thedocument as compared to the voltage drop over the remainder of thedocument. In accordance with the invention, conductive printablematerial is formed on the document so that a relatively high voltagedrop on the ticket takes place at the location or approximately at thelocation of the document where brandable material is formed.

The resistance of a uniform length of conductor is given by:$R = \frac{1}{\sigma \quad s}$

where l is the length of the section of the conductor, σ is theresistivity of the material, and s is the cross sectional area of theconductor section. Thus, it is seen that the resistance over any lengthof conductive material can be precisely controlled by controlling thecross sectional area of the conductive section.

In the specific examples of FIGS. 4-3 and 4-4, conductive printablematerial 420 is formed on document 418 such that a relatively highresistance section of resistive circuit comprising sections 421, 422 and423 is formed about a region of a document desired to be exposed to arelatively higher amount of heat. The higher resistance section at orapproximately at the location of the brandable material may be formed bya number of possible methods, for example by providing a conductivematerial having a higher resistivity in the location of the brandablematerial. Preferably, however, the higher resistance conductor section422 is formed as is shown by providing a conductor section having asmaller area cross section than remaining conductive sections 421 and423. In this way, all conductive sections of resistive circuit can beformed on document 418 by applying a single contiguous layer ofconductive material. The precise resistance value of high resistancesection 422 and the voltage of the voltage source which is applied tothe ticket can be controlled so that high resistance section 422generates the desired amount of heat at the brandable ink location ofthe document. If it is desired to brand more than one location of adocument, document 418 can have more than one relatively high resistancesection.

Preferably, the relatively high resistance section 422 exhibits aresistance in the tens of ohms or lower. This is so a relatively highresistance section is made to emit an amount of heat sufficient to causebranding of brandable material on a game ticket by applying a relativelylow voltage source (such as a 5V voltage source) across a resistivecircuit formed on a game ticket.

Brandable material and conductive material, like the layers 211described with reference to FIG. 2-5 are conveniently applied in highvolume using a flexographic printing press but may also be applied usingan alternative printing method such as with the use of gravure printing,offset printing, or silk screen printing.

A document processing apparatus which is adapted to brand documents ofthe type shown with reference to FIGS. 4-3 and 4-4 is shown in FIGS. 4-5and 4-6. Apparatus 430 includes feed path 432 for receiving documents, avoltage source 434 which may be either an AC or DC voltage source, andvoltage terminals 436 adapted to make contact with end conductorsections, e.g. sections 421 and 423 of a document 418. In the embodimentshown, apparatus 430 is configured so that documents received thereinare manually inserted into apparatus 430 until document 418 is inelectrical contact with terminals 436. However, apparatus 430 can alsobe configured so that document 418 is transported into an appropriateposition in contact with terminals by operation of rollers 406, as shownin FIG. 4-1 or another transport mechanism. Apparatus 430 can beconfigured so that document 418 is in motion while voltage is applied todocument, or else apparatus 430 can be configured so that the documentis in a stationary position during the time that branding voltage isapplied to the document.

Document 418 can be made to have contact pads 425 formed thereon asshown in FIGS. 4-3 and 4-4. These contact pads can be made of highlyconductive metals. The increased thickness of contact pads 425 and highconductivity assured good electrical connection between document andterminals, and assure that losses between document and terminal areminimal. Several contact pads 425 can be formed on a document asillustrated in FIG. 4-3 so that the document can be inserted into anapparatus for processing the document in any one of a plurality ofdifferent orientations and still engage terminals 436.

V. Document Processing Apparatus Control System

A specific embodiment of a multiple function apparatus according to theinvention which is adapted to receive and process security documents, inparticular lottery game tickets, is shown with reference to FIG. 5-1,which shows a functional schematic diagram of a document processingapparatus and its associated components, and FIG. 5-2, which shows ablock electrical control system for controlling the components of theapparatus.

Lottery ticket reader 510 includes a plurality of elements adapted tocarry out various functions in the reading and processing of lotterygame tickets, such as game ticket 202. Reader 510 includes a housing512, a transport mechanism 514 for transporting game tickets along afeed path 515, a first ticket sensor 544 for sensing the presence of agame ticket in housing 512, second and third ticket sensors 529 and 530for sensing the presence of a document at specific points along feedpath 515, a topside imaging assembly 516 for generating image signalscorresponding to a topside 204 of a lottery ticket, a bottomside imagingassembly 517 for generating image signals corresponding a bottomside 206of a lottery ticket, a material detection imaging assembly 519 of thetype described in connection with FIG. 3-1 herein, and a brander 520 forbranding brandable inks which may be formed on various lottery ticketswhich may be read by the reader of the invention.

Embodiments of reader 510 can have more than or fewer than the abovecomponents. Furthermore, as will be explained herein, reader 510 may beconfigured so that a user may elect to deactivate components and/oroperations of reader 510 by entering control commands via control buttonor a keyboard 511 or from the local host processor system 558 (FIG.5-2). Still further, as will be described herein, reader 510 may beconfigured so that certain components and/or operations of reader 510may be enabled or disabled during operation of reader 510 based oncharacteristics of the game ticket that is currently being read.

Although imaging assemblies 516, 517, and 519 may incorporate 2D typeimage sensors, they preferably include 1D image sensors 522T, 522B, 522Mhaving 1×N pixel arrays which are oriented and controlled so thatcontroller 532 captures 2D images from image signals generated by theimage sensors. 1D image sensors are disposed generally perpendicular tothe direction of transport 514, and caused to generate image signal“slices” as documents are transported through feed path 515. Accurateimage data representations of lottery ticket indicia can be captured bycontroller 532 (FIG. 5-2) by coordinating the frequency of image captureand speed with which documents are transported across the field of viewof the imaging assemblies. The dimensions of 1D image sensors for use inreader 510 are selected based on the resolution requirements of thecaptured images.

The term “capture” as used herein in relation to imaging systems shallrefer to the process by which a processor based controller 532 receivesimage signals generated by an image sensor e.g. 522T (in a digitizedstate after being digitized by A/D converter e.g. 522T) and constructsfrom the image signals an initial bit map corresponding to the signalsand representative of the scene in the field of view of the imagesensor.

Referring to particular aspects of imaging assembly 516, imagingassembly 516 may include an illumination source assembly 523T, providedtypically by an array of LEDs, together with an illuminating opticsassembly 524T, which may include lenses and/or mirrors for directinglight from the illumination source to a target, which is a portion of adocument presently in the field of view of the image sensor. Imagingassembly 516 further includes an imaging optics assembly 525T forreceiving and focusing an image of object T onto image sensor 522T, andpossibly an optical filter for filtering out light not in the band ofwavelengths emanating from illumination source 523T.

Illumination and receive optical elements referred to herein may includemirrors of fiber optical elements for folding or otherwise shaping theillumination or receive optical paths.

Bottomside imaging assembly 517 typically includes components identicalto topside imaging assembly 516. Bottomside imaging assembly 517typically includes a 1D image sensor 522B and an associated imagingoptics assembly 525B, an illumination source assembly 523B andassociated imaging optics assembly 524B.

In the embodiment of FIG. 5-1, material detection imaging assembly 519is configured in accordance with the transmissivity-based materialdetection system described in reference to FIG. 3-1. Material detectionimage sensor 522M is disposed to generate image signals representing atopside of a game ticket while illumination source 523M is disposed on aside of feed path 515 opposite image sensor to direct light throughticket toward image sensor 522M. Illumination source 523M is typicallyan infrared light source which emits light in the wavelength range offrom about 0.75 μm to about 1000 μm. Receive optics 525M associated withmaterial detection sensor 522M should include an optical filter forfiltering out light not in the band of wavelengths emitted byillumination source 523M.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention image sensors 522T,522B are provided by high resolution 1D image sensors which generateimage signals of sufficient resolution so that, when imagescorresponding to those images are captured by reader 510, fine lined(such as 6 mil) bar codes can be decoded in such images. The resolutionrequirements for images captured by material detection image sensor 522Mmay be less stringent, and therefore materials detection image sensor522M can normally be provided by a lower resolution image sensor whichgenerates lower resolution images.

Shown as being provided by a system of rollers, transport mechanism 514could also be provided by an air transport system or a drum typetransport system. In other possible embodiments, transport mechanism 514may comprise simply a feed path which guides a document received thereinand the document may be moved through the feed path by the force ofgravity (in the case of a vertically oriented feed path) or by a manualforce supplied by a ticket handler as suggested by the apparatus shownin FIGS. 4-5 and 4-6. In still other possible embodiments, a documentmay be held in a stationary position and transport mechanism may causemotion of image sensors 522T, 522B and 522M across the stationarily helddocument for enabling full document imaging.

Functional schematic diagrams of alternative embodiment of a documentprocessing apparatus are shown in FIGS. 5-6 and 5-7. In the embodimentof FIG. 5-6 apparatus includes an additive-based material detectionsystem 519′ described with reference to FIG. 3-4. In this embodiment,material detection assembly includes a specially adapted illuminationsource 523M′ selected to emit light in a band of wavelengths necessaryto excite the light-sensitive additive material added to scratch-offmaterial, and receive optics 525M′ of assembly 519′ includes an opticalfilter for filtering out light not with the band of wavelengths at whichthe additive of the document emits when exposed by light emanating fromsource 523M′. Preferably, material detection image sensor 522M′ isdisposed in relation to document so as to be exposed to light raysemanating from illumination source and reflected from document 202. Theapparatus of FIG. 5-6 further includes a topside brander energy source520′ for branding a topside of a game ticket 202.

The embodiment of FIG. 5-7 includes two types of material detectionassemblies incorporated in a single document processing apparatus. Firstmaterial detection imaging assembly 519 is configured to detect thepresence of scratch-off material on a game ticket based ontransmissivity characteristics of a game ticket while second materialdetection imaging assembly 519′ is configured to detect the presence ofscratch-off material by detecting for the presence of a light-sensitiveadditive which has been previously incorporated in the scratch-offmaterial of a game ticket as has been described previously herein inSection III. Alternatively, the detection imaging assembly 519′ can beconfigured to detect the absence of scratch-off material by detectingfor the presence of a light-sensitive additive which has been previouslyincorporated beneath the scratch-off material of a game ticket.

Receive optics 525M of first material imaging assembly 519 includes anoptical filter for filtering out light not with the band of wavelengthsemanating from illumination source 523M while receive optics 525M ofsecond material detection imaging assembly 519′ includes an opticalfilter for filtering out light not within the band of wavelengthreflected from document originating from illumination source 523M.Providing first and second material detection imaging assemblies 519 and519′ enhances the accuracy with which apparatus 510″ can determinewhether a security document is authentic (whether it has beenmanufactured according to authorized specification) and whether asecurity document is valid (whether it satisfied the requirements ofbeing a winning ticket).

For example, apparatus 510″ can be made to make a first determination asto whether a document is authentic based on whether image signals(indicative of transmissivity characteristics of document) generated byimage sensor 522M satisfy a certain criteria, and a second redundantdetermination as to whether a document is valid based on whether imagesignals from image sensor 522M′ indicate that a predetermined additiveis present in a game ticket.

Apparatuses 510, 510′ and 510″ may have scratch-off material detectionsystems incorporated therein designed in accordance with system 340described with reference to FIG. 3-6. If a reading apparatus accordingto the invention includes a controlled reflectance system 340, then, ingeneral controller 532 (FIG. 5-2) is made to analyze image data capturedfrom topside image sensor 522T in order to detect the presence ofscratch-off material in a game ticket. Because illumination source 523Tof topside imaging assembly 516 is normally provided by a narrow bandred light source, a reader equipped to determine the presence ofscratch-off material on a game ticket based on reflectancecharacteristic of a play area will not require an additional narrow bandlight source if the colors of a play area of tickets to be processed arecontrolled according to their reflectance characteristics under redlight. Reader 510 will normally require an additional narrow bandillumination source or sources, however, if it is equipped in accordancewith a controlled reflectance material detection system requiring morethan one narrow band light source or a narrow band light source otherthan a red light source.

A block electrical diagram of the invention is shown in FIG. 5-2.Lottery ticket reader 510 includes a controller 532, typically providedby one or more processors 534 and 536. Preferably, controller 532comprises an integrated circuit microprocessor 534 and an applicationspecific integrated circuit or ASIC 536. Processor 534 and ASIC 536 areboth programmable control devices which are able to receive, output andprocess data in accordance with a stored program stored in a memoryspace 548 comprising either or both of a read/write random access memoryor RAM 550 and an erasable read only memory or EROM 552. Processor 534and ASIC 536 are also both connected to a common bus 553 through whichprogram data and working data, including address data, may be receivedand transmitted in either direction to any circuitry that is alsoconnected thereto. Processor 534 and ASIC 536 differ from one another intheir operation.

The actual division of labor between processors 534 and 536 will dependon the type of off-the-shelf microprocessors that are available, thetype of image sensors which are used, the rate at which image data isoutput by the imaging assemblies 516, 517, and 519. There is nothing inprinciple, however, that requires that any particular division of laborbe made between processors 534 and 536, or even that such a division bemade at all. This is because special purpose processor 536 may beeliminated entirely if general purpose processor 534 is fast enough andpowerful enough to perform all of the functions contemplated by thepresent invention. It will, therefore, be understood that neither thenumber of processors used, nor the division of labor therebetween, is ofany fundamental significance for purposes of the present invention.

With processor architectures of the type shown in FIG. 5-2, a typicaldivision of labor between processors 534 and 536 will be as follows.Processor 534 is preferably devoted primarily to the tasks of decodingimage data, once such data has been stored in RAM 550, transmission andreception of data to and from a processor external to reader 510 throughan RS 232 or RS 485 (or other) compatible I/O device 537, and providingoverall system level coordination.

Processor 536 is preferably devoted primarily to controlling the imageacquisition process, the A/D conversion process and the storage of imagedata, including the ability to access memories 550 and 552 via a DMAchannel. Processor 536 may also perform many timing and communicationoperations. Processor 536 may, for example, control the illumination ofLEDs 523T, 523B, and 523M, the timing (exposure start time, exposurestop time, the clock out time) of image sensors 522T, 522B, and 522M(see FIG. 5-1), the timing of analog-to-digital (A/D) converters 527T,527B, and 527M, the coordination between a transport motor and imagesensors 522T, 522B and 522M, and the outputting of user perceptible datavia an output device 538, which may comprise a display device, such as aliquid crystal display, CRT, an array of LED's and or sound producingdisplays such as speakers or beepers. It is seen from the functionaldiagrams 5-1, 5-6, and 5-7 that controller 532 at certain times duringthe processing of a security document will be required to construct bitmaps from image signals received from each of the three image sensorsconcurrently. Processor 536 is conveniently employed to arbitrate bus553 so that binarized image signals from each image sensor are writteninto the appropriate bit map storage location address location of RAM550. Control of output, display and I/O functions may also be shared orduplicated between processors 534 and 536, as suggested by bus driverI/O and output/display devices 537′ and 538′. As explained earlier, thespecifics of this division of labor is of no significance to the presentinvention.

In the case where image sensors 522T, 522B, 522M are 1×N linear arraytype image sensors, three inputs are typically provided from processorfor the control of each image sensor. Referring to topside imagingassembly 516, first input 522-1 carries a signal causing image sensor tobegin an exposure period, a second input 522-2 carries a signal causingimage sensor 522T to end an exposure period, and third input 522-3carries a signal causing an image signal waveform corresponding to a rowof pixels to be clocked or read out of image sensor and presented toanalog-to-digital converter 527T. An A/D input 527-1 carries an A/Dcontrol signal which causes the analog waveform image signals presentedto A/D converter 527T to be sampled at the appropriate times to assurethat digital image signals corresponding to each pixel of the array arepresented to processor 536.

One specific practical example of a document reader of the type shown inFIG. 5-2 may be constructed using the particular commercially availablesolid-state integrated circuits listed in the following component table:

COMPONENT TABLE Block Diagram Item Manufacturer and Part No. Processor534 Motorola HC11 Image Sensor 522T Toshiba TCD 1503 Image Sensor 522BToshiba TCD 1503 Image Sensor 522M Toshiba TCD 1001 RAM 550 Sony CXK5864-BM-10LL ROM 522 ATMEL AT 29C257

As indicated by block diagram 5-2, reader 510 is preferably incommunication via I/O device with a local host processor system 558which includes a local host processor memory space 559. Local hostprocessor system 558 is typically located in proximity with reader at agame ticket processing location, such as a convenience store.

As illustrated in FIG. 5-3, reader 510 and local host processor system558 are preferably part of a larger communications system 560 comprisinga main remote processor system 561 including a main remote processor anda main remote processor system memory space 563, which is incommunication with a plurality of local host processor systems, e.g.558′, and processor system 558 also shown in FIG. 5-2. Main remoteprocessor system 561 may communicate with a local host processor systemvia communication interface device 564 such as a modem, or via anothersuitable communications link, for example via a computer networkconnection. Wireless communication links, such as RF links or otherwireless links may be provided between main remote processor system 561and local processor system 558.

Main remote processor system 561 is typically operated under the controlof local, state, or national government agency, and is typicallyequipped with data input devices such as a keyboard 565 and a disk drivewhich enable data and programs stored in memory space 563 to readily beedited and updated. Main remote processor system 563 could also be incommunication with a remote governing processor system (not shown) whichis in communication with each of several main remote processor systemssimilar to system 561.

Communications system 560 provides two major functions for the purposesof the present invention which will be explained fully herein. First,communications system makes available to reader 510 new validatingalgorithms. In determining whether a game ticket is a winner, reader 510applies a validating algorithm to the identification code of a gameticket. The features of the validating algorithm are kept secret andupdated periodically so that the win/loss status of the ticket cannot bedetermined except by application of the present validating algorithm. Asecond major function of the communication system is to make game dataavailable to reader 510. As will be seen herein, game data, typicallyprovided in the form of a lookup table, correlates identification codeinformation with game ticket physical characteristic data, and with mainprogram flag status indicators so that processing of a game ticketreceived in the reader is made dependent on the identification code ofthe ticket being processed. As new styles of games are manufactured andas new tickets are produced, the game data must be updated to includethe new game styles and game tickets. Distributing new game data to eachof several local processors is conveniently accompished by updating thedata in a main remote processor system 561 then writing the new data toeach of several local processor systems 558, 558′, and 558″.

Referring again to aspects of reader 510, a high level flow diagramillustrating operation of a main program for controlling the overalloperation of reader 510 is illustrated in the flow diagram FIG. 5-4.According to main program 570, the controller 532, after positivelysensing a ticket via sensor 544 at block 571, executes an initialread/decode routine at block 572 and then executes at least one ofseveral processing subroutines. In general, a similar initial imagecapture subroutine will be followed for each document that is presentedto reader 510. In an initial image capture/decode subroutine, controller532 captures image data representing the front and back of a game ticket202 searches for identification bar codes represented in that imagedata, and decodes any bar codes existing in that image data. For mostlottery game tickets, decoding a bar code symbol formed on a game ticketreveals a game ticket identification code.

Processing subroutines which controller 532 may execute after executingan initial capture/read/decode subroutine include an authenticationsubroutine, a manual validation subroutine, a scratch-off materialremoval test subroutine, a tamper detection subroutine, and a brandingsubroutine. Which of the potential subroutines controller 532 executesdepends on the status of control flags which controller 532 polls atvarious stages of operation of main program 510. In the example shown,controller 532 polls the status of control flags at decision blocks 577,578, 579, 580, 581, 582, and 583 to determine which of the potentialsubroutines reader 510 will execute.

Reader 510 may be configured so that the processing subroutines whichare executed by reader 510 can be controlled manually. In the case thatreader 510 can manually control which processing subroutines will beexecuted, then controller 532 at decision blocks 577, 578, 579, 580,581, 582 and 583, polls a flag that is raised or lowered by manual inputcommands input to controller 532 by an operator with use of a keyboardor control buttons 511 which may be integrated into housing 512. Whenpolling the status of a flag raised manually, controller 532 polls thecontents of an address corresponding to the keyboard or control buttonsoperated to manually raise the flag status indicators.

In addition to or in place of the manual control of which subroutinescontroller 532 executes, reader 510 may be configured so the processingsubroutines which controller executes are dependent on the style of gameticket presently being processed.

To the end that execution of the various processing subroutines 575l-1to 575-6 is made dependent on the style of ticket being processed, thena lookup table which correlates an identification code of a given gameticket 202 with various control flag indicators pertaining to that codeis stored into memory space 548 of reader 510. A lookup table 590 whichmay be stored in memory space 548 is shown in FIG. 5-5. Lookup table 590includes a first column 591 listing game ticket identification code (fora portion of an identification code), and at least one control flagstatus indicator column 592 indicting the status of a flag whichdetermines whether or not controller 532 will execute a particularpotential subroutine. When executing one of the decision blocks 577,578, 579, 580, 581, 582, and 583, then controller 532 will poll thecolumn and row of data in lookup table 590 corresponding to theidentification code of the ticket 202 presently being read in order todetermine whether controller 532 will execute a potential processingsubroutine. In some cases, the controller will use data that has beenread from the ticket and combined with the data from the lookup table590 to fully describe the relevant attributes of the game, the instanceof the game on the ticket, and the particular processing required forthat ticket. This correlation of information can be used on both sidesof the ticket, or include data read from a ticket's light-sensitivematerial layer.

It is seen further from FIG. 5-5 that lookup table 590 includes at leastone column 593 including data pertaining to the physical characteristicsof the ticket being processed. Such physical characteristic informationmay include, for example, the dimensions of the ticket, and thedimensions and the location of the play areas (and scratch-off material)of the game ticket. Such information is useful in several of the ticketprocessing applications of the application. Physical characteristic gamedata defining the location of a play area, e.g. column 593 data, aretypically provided in the form of distance parameters which define apoint location (such a center point or corner point) with respect to apredetermined reference point of a game ticket. The predeterminedreference point of the ticket may be defined by, e.g., corner points ofthe game ticket, an identification bar code symbol of a game ticket, oranother indicia of a game ticket added to the ticket for purpose ofproviding a reference point.

For example, in a latex detection function according to the invention,which will be explained in detail herein, controller 532 determineswhether scratch-off material covering a play area of a ticket has beenscratched. In making such a determination, controller reads from lookuptable the positions and locations of the play areas in a game ticket inorder to determine the appropriate image data pertaining to thosepositions.

Lookup table 590 can include one entry or row of data corresponding toeach individual ticket, as identified by its identification code. Formany applications, however, it is sufficient to provide one entry foreach style of ticket, and to process each ticket manufactured accordingto a given style in the same way. Where it is sufficient to provide oneentry per style of ticket, controller 532 can be made to data fromlookup table 590, by reading certain characters of an identificationcode pertaining to a ticket style, and ignoring certain other charactersof an identification code not pertaining to a ticket style.

VI. Document Reader Operation

The various functions which reader 510 may be adapted to perform willnow be described in detail. In operation, reader 510 is configured tocarry out an initial capture/decode/test routine, and then execute atleast one of several potential processing subroutines whose executiondepends on the status of various flags controlling the operation ofthese functions or subroutines.

A flow diagram illustrating the steps in the operation of an initialcapture/decode/test routine which is carried out in the same manner foreach game ticket presented to reader is described with reference to theflow diagram of FIG. 6-1. In executing the operation, routine controller532 captures the necessary image data that will be required to carry outthe various potential functions of the reader.

Briefly, referring to FIGS. 5-1 and 5-2, reader 510 captures image dataas follows. When a ticket 202 is sensed by position sensor 544,controller 532 issues the appropriate command to motor PC Board 546 toactuate transport mechanism 514 so that transport mechanism 514transports game ticket 202 across the field of view of image sensors522T, 522B, and 522M. In the specific embodiment of FIG. 5-1, transportmechanism 514 transports a front end 202T of game ticket 202 across thefield of view of topside and bottomside image sensors 522T, 522B beforetransporting ticket 513 across the field of view of material detectionimage sensor 522M.

Controller 532 is configured to construct bit map representations ofindicia patterns on the topside and bottomside of a game ticket bycapturing successive “slices” of image data corresponding to a line ofindicia on a game ticket that runs the width of a game ticket. Eachimage sensor 522T, 522B and 522M is adapted to develop analog signalwaveforms that represent, at any give time, a complete line or slice ofa game ticket surface, which is presently in the field of view of theimage sensor. Controller 532 captures a slice of image data, in general,by issuing appropriately timed control signals to image sensors 522T,522B, and 522M and to appropriately timed A/D converters 527T, 527B, and527M (FIG. 5-2) and by reading into memory space 548 at the appropriateread rate, bits or bytes of data corresponding to image signal waveformsoutput by sensors 522T, 522B, and 522M representing a complete line ofticket indicia. If the value of each pixel in an image sensor pixelarray is to be captured by controller 532 as a binary 1 bit number thenthe output from an A/D converter 527T will be either a 1 or 0. If thevalue of each pixel is to be captured as a grey scale value then theoutput of A/D converter 527 is a multi bit signal representing the greyscale of each pixel. Image sensors 522T, 522B, and 522M are adapted togenerate image signals corresponding to the full width of a game tickethaving a maximum available width. Thus, for game tickets having lessthan the maximal width, additional image data corresponding to an imagesignal that does not represent a part of a ticket will be captured.

The output signals generated by ticket position sensors 529 and 530,along with the transport speed with which a ticket is transporteddetermine the time at which controller 532 commences capturing imagedata corresponding to a given image sensor, and the time at whichcontroller ceases capturing image data corresponding to a given imagesensor.

The “sample rate” is the rate at which controller 532 captures slices ofimage data from the image sensors 522T, 522B and 522M. The sample rateand pixel dimension of image sensors 522T, 522B and 522M should beselected according to the resolution requirement of the image data thatis captured. Image sensors 522T, 522B will be required to generate imagesignals for use in capturing image data containing therein fine linedbar code symbols, as fine as 6 mils, while the resolution requirementsof image data captures from material detection image sensor 522M willnormally be less.

So that sufficiently high resolution and sufficiently distortion-freeimage data are captured, the speed of transport mechanism should becoordinated with the sampling rate. In one practical working example ofthe invention, the transport speed, required resolution, the pixeldimension, and sampling rate associated with the various image sensorare as follows:

Image Transport Sensor Speed Resolution Pixel Dimension Sample RateTopside 15 I/sec. 330 dpi 5000 pixels, 4,950 522T 1400 pixels usedsample/sec. Bottomside 15 I/sec. 330 dpi 5000 pixels, 4,950 522B 1400pixels used sample/sec. Mat. Det. 15 I/sec.  30 dpi  128 pixels   450522M sample/sec.

Controller 532 assembles slices of image data corresponding to imagesignals generated by a given image sensor 522T, 522B, or 522M inpredetermined (normally sequentially addressed) address locations ofmemory space 548 to form initial bit map image representations of acomplete topside surface (by topside 522T and material detection 522Mimage sensor) or bottomside surface (by bottomside 522B image sensor) ofa game ticket 202. The initial bit map representations captured fromimage signals generated by topside image sensor 522T and bottomsideimage sensor 522B shall be referred to herein, respectively, as thetopside and bottomside bit maps while the bit map representationconstructed from material detection image sensor 522M shall be referredto herein as the material detection bit map.

Turning again to FIG. 6-1, when the initial bit maps are completelyconstructed at block 610 (at the time when the back end 202B of a gameticket passes position sensor 522M then controller 532 proceeds to block612, in order to search for and attempt to decode any bar code symbolswhich may be included in the captured image data. In searching for anddecoding any bar code symbols which may be included in the capturedimage data, controller 532 will search through the topside andbottomside bit maps for bar code symbols.

The searching for and decoding of bar code symbols in the captured imagedata can be carried out in accordance with use of one of several searchand decode methodologies that are in widespread use in the art, andavailable from a variety of different software providers including WelchAllyn Corporation of Skaneateles Falls, N.Y. In general, these symbolfinding methodologies involve analyzing a row or column of a bit map todetermine if the row or column includes a sequence of dark pixelsfollowed by a sequence of light pixels according to a predeterminedcriteria, then, if a grouping satisfying the pattern criteria is found,pixels surrounding the grouping are analyzed until a determination ismade as to whether the image data includes a symbol.

As described in Section II herein, lottery game tickets 202 of the typereader 510 is configured to process have printed thereon anidentification code bar code symbol 208 which encodes an identificationcode pertaining to that particular ticket.

However, as seen in FIG. 2-1 lottery game tickets often have more thanone bar code symbol printed thereon. For example, lottery game ticketsoften have a sales data bar code symbol 209 printed thereon in additionto having an identification code bar code symbol 208. Fortunately,recognizing a located bar code symbol as a sales data bar code symbol isnormally an easy task considering that sales data bar code symbols arecommonly printed in one symbology, UPS symbology, which is employed on awidespread basis for the purpose of encoding sales records information.Therefore, after locating a bar code symbol in captured image data atblock 613, controller 532 determines if the located symbol satisfies apredetermined criteria for being an identification code type bar codesymbol. Such criteria may be for example, that the symbol is not aUPS-symbol, or is of a symbology designated for possible use as anidentification code symbol. If the located symbol does not satisfy thecriteria for being an identification code bar code symbol, thencontroller 532 at block 613 continues to search for bar code symbols inthe captured image data. If a located symbol does satisfy the criteriafor being an identification code type bar code symbol then controller532 proceeds to block 616 and attempts to decode the symbol. If nosymbol is found that satisfies the requirements of being anidentification code type symbol, then controller 532 at block 614displays a “No Bar Code Symbol Found” message and proceeds to reject thegame ticket at block 615.

Display messages described herein may be displayed by a display devicewhich has been incorporated in reader 510 (not shown). Preferably,however, controller 532 is configured so that when controller 532 causesthe display of a message, controller 532 writes a message to I/O device537 which is received by local host processor system 558 which displaysthe message on a display device incorporated therein.

“Rejecting” the game ticket shall be referred to herein as the processof transporting a ticket 202 through reader 510 to the outlet thereofsubsequent to capturing image data pertaining to the ticket withoutperforming any further processing of the ticket involving, e.g.,branding or validating.

If controller 532 does locate at block 613 a bar code symbol in theimage data satisfying a criteria for being an identification code barcode symbol, controller 532 proceeds to block 616 and attempts to decodethe located bar code symbol. If the controller 532 at block 617determines that the located symbol cannot be decoded then controllerproceeds to block 618, and attempts to determine whether the symbolcannot be decoded because it has been previously branded. If the tickethas been previously branded, then its win/loss status has beenpreviously processed by reader 510 and it should not be processed again.The attempt to reprocess a ticket which has been previously processed asindicated by the ticket being branded can be an indication of anattempted fraud.

As has been discussed herein, and in detail in Section IV, brandable inkmay be formed on a symbol according to a predetermined pattern, whichbecome visible after being branded. It should be noted that the branddoes not have to be located on the bar code. Because the pattern of thebrandable ink is predetermined, whether or not a ticket has been brandedcan be determined by application of a pattern recognition algorithm inwhich controller 532 determines whether the predetermined brand patternis present in the captured image data corresponding to the location ofthe identification symbol. This pattern recognition algorithm can besimplified if the manufacturing of game tickets to be processed bycontroller 532 is controlled so that each ticket includes asubstantially identical branding pattern formed in substantiallyidentical locations and orientations in relation to symbol 208. Byapplication of a pattern recognition algorithm controller 532 determineswhether the reason that the symbol cannot be decoded is that the symbolhas been branded.

If controller 532 at block 618 determines that the ticket has beenpreviously branded then controller 532 at block 620 causes a “PreviouslyPlayed” message to be displayed by display 538 and causes the ticket tobe rejected at block 615. If controller 532 at block 618 determines thata symbol cannot be read for a reason other than that the ticket has beenpreviously branded then controller 532 causes a general “Bar codereading failure” message to be displayed at block 619 and rejects theticket at block 615.

If controller 532 successfully decodes the symbol at block 617 thencontroller 532 proceeds to block 621 to determine if an entry exists inlookup table 590 (as described with reference to FIG. 5-5) correspondingto the identification code of the successfully decoded symbol. At block621 controller 532 determines if a lookup table entry corresponding tothe identification code of the present ticket is resident in readermemory space 548. If an entry is not present in memory 548 thencontroller 532 proceeds to block 622 to download and then determine atblock 623 if an entry corresponding to the identification code of thepresent ticket is located in a Master lookup table stored in memoryspace of local host processor system 558.

If a lookup table entry corresponding to the present identification codeis not located either in the original lookup table or the downloadMaster lookup table, then controller 532 at block 624 causes to bedisplayed an “Unrecognized Game” message and proceeds to block 615 toreject the game ticket. If a lookup table entry corresponding to theidentification code is present either in the original or Master lookuptable, then controller 532 exits the initial capture/decode/test routineand proceeds to execute at least one potential processing subroutine.When an entry corresponding to a present identification code is found, astack pointer is added to the entry so that the entry is readily locatedin future processing steps.

As mentioned in Section IV herein, brandable ink formed on a game ticketneed not be formed in such a location on a ticket that branding thebrandable ink obscures an identification code bar code symbol.Accordingly, if controller 532 successfully decodes a symbol at block616 controller 532 may execute another processing routine to search, inthe captured image data, for sequences of pixel values corresponding toa predetermined brand pattern. Lookup table 590 may have incorporatedtherein data encoding the location, and possibly characteristics of thebrand pattern. If lookup table 590 is made to include data pertaining tocharacteristics of the brand pattern, then a brand pattern locatingroutine should be executed after a lookup table entry corresponding tothe presented game ticket is found, at block 621 or block 623. Ingeneral, brand patterns are formed on game tickets in locations that donot obscure symbols so that the ticket's identification code can beutilized in the processing of the ticket. Thus, if a non-obscuring brandpattern is located, the brand status is recorded and utilized to controlfurther processing of the ticket, but will in general not result in theimmediate rejecting of the ticket as is the case where the brand patternis symbol obscuring brand pattern formed directly on an identificationbar code.

With reference to main program flow diagram 570 of FIG. 5-4, controller532 at decision stage 577 determines if a flag is raised indicatingwhether a “Test for Scratch-off Material” or “Authentication” subroutineshould be executed. This flag will be raised if the designer of the gamewishes to have a preliminary test carried out on the ticket to determineif the ticket has authentic scratch-off material printed thereon, beforecarrying out more sophisticated processing routines involving time andmemory consuming character recognition algorithms. Execution of thisprocessing subroutine is particularly useful in the case where thereader includes a material detection system of the type described withreference to FIG. 3-1 and the game ticket includes a scratch-offmaterial having a light-sensitive additive which is selected to emitlight in specific wavelength range when illuminated at a certainwavelength range.

If the scratch-off material or the layer beneath the scratch-offmaterial includes a wavelength-responsive additive and the materialdetection system is of a type that includes a material detection imagingsystem configured in accordance with the design of FIG. 3-4, then imagedata captured from material detection image sensor 522M′ correspondingto the scratch-off region will indicate whether the game ticket includesthe additive. Therefore, the “Test for Scratch-Off Material” subroutinecan comprise a simple algorithm which analyzes image data correspondingto the play area to determine whether at least one bit or bits of datacorresponding to a single pixel of array 522M′ indicates the presence ofan additive in the scratch-off material.

Still referring to FIG. 5-4, if controller 532, in execution of a “Testfor Scratch-off Material” algorithm, determines at block 626 that thescratch-off material does not include a light-sensitive additive, thencontroller 532 at block 627 may cause display of a “Counterfeit Ticket”message and proceed to block 615 to reject the ticket.

Additional preliminary checks as to the authenticity of a game ticketcan be made in the case reader 510 includes the required reader elementsof a controlled reflectance material detection system described withreference to FIG. 3-6, and ticket is manufactured according to therequirement of the system of FIG. 3-6. For example, controller 532 cananalyze image data captured from image sensor 522T in order to determinewhether pixels of the bit map exhibit intensities in accordance with thereflectance characteristics of colors of a game tickets outer layer 238′and/or icon layer 226′. Furthermore if reader 510 and ticket 202 aremade in accordance with a reflectance controlled material detectionsystem wherein contrast is evident between a pattern and background ofouter layer 238′ and icon layer 226′ then controller 532 may analyzepatterns of either or both outer layer 238′ and icon layer 226′ todetermine if the patterns satisfy predetermined criteria indicative ofauthenticity. If controller 532 at block 626 determines that the gameticket is authentic, or if a “Test for Scratch-off Material” flag is notraised, then controller 532 proceeds to decision stage 578 to determinewhether a flag is raised for causing execution of a “Manual Validation”subroutine. The designers of some games may wish to require thatvalidation of their game be performed by manual inspection only. A gamedesigner, who wishes to require that validation be carried out by manualinspection only, may provide a lookup table as shown in FIG. 5-5 thatincludes a flag status indicator column including an indicator causingexecution of the “Manual Validation” subroutine when controller 532executes decision stage 578. In a “Manual Validation” subroutine,controller 532 at block 628 causes a display of a “Ticket Authentic, OKto Manually Validate” message then proceeds to block 630 to eject theticket.

At block 579 controller 532 determines the status of flag controllingexecuting a “Test for Scratch-off material removal” subroutine. If thissubroutine is caused to be executed, controller 532 analyzes image datacaptured from material detection image sensor 522M in order to determineif the game ticket has been played. If a ticket is presented to reader510 without the scratch-off material being removed, it is normallyindicative of an attempted fraud perpetrated by a ticket agent whowishes to separate winning tickets from losing tickets. A flow diagramillustrating a possible implementation of a “Scratch-Off MaterialDetection Removal” subroutine is described with reference to FIG. 6-2.In the case the reader is a reader such as 510′ or 510″ including animage sensor 522M′ adapted to detect for the presence of a lightsensitive additive in a game ticket, then controller 532 in a“Scratch-Off Material Removal Detection” subroutine and in a “TamperDetection” subroutine to be described later herein may analyze imagedata captured from image sensor 522M′. Where a reader, e.g, 510, 510′,510″ includes a controlled reflectance material detection systemdescribed with reference to FIG. 3-6, then controller 532 may analyzediscernable contrast image data captured from topside image sensor 522Twhen executing a “Scratch-Off Material Removal Detection” subroutine ora “Tamper Detection” subroutine.

In a “Scratch-off Material Removal Detection” subroutine, controller 532at block 634 determines from an appropriate bit map a reference point inthe image data that corresponds to a particular point in a game ticket.The reference point may be provided, for example, by a point in theidentification code bar code of a game ticket. All points in the imagedata corresponding to points in a game ticket can be found by referenceto the identification code bar code symbol or another predetermined markor indicia on game ticket 202. A reference point in the image data canalso be determined by searching for, and locating in the image data apoint which corresponds, e.g., to a corner point of the game ticket.

At block 635, controller 532 reads from lookup table 590 physicalcharacteristic game data. Physical characteristic game data defines theregion in the captured material detection bit map corresponding to theplay area of the ticket with reference to a reference point in the bitmap, such as any pixel value corresponding to a point on a bar codesymbol, or a bit corresponding to a corner point of the game ticket.

When the physical characteristic game data is read at block 636,controller 532 determines the region in the captured image datacorresponding to the ticket's play area, and then proceeds to block 637to analyze the image data of the bit map in the location of the playarea. At block 637, controller 532 determines whether the captured imagedata in the region of the play area indicates that the ticket has beenplayed. A number of possible algorithms may be employed to make thedetermination of whether the ticket has been played.

In one method for making a determination as to whether a ticket has beenplayed, controller 532 at block 637 evaluates the pixel values in thearea of the bit map corresponding to a play area to determine thepercentage of bits in the play area of the bit map having “lightvalues”. A “light value” pixel herein shall refer to a grey scale pixelvalue above a certain value or the bit value of P=1, in the case thepixels in the bit map are either captured as binary values or convertedto binary values with use of a thresholding procedure. As indicated bythe video image of FIG. 3-3 and in FIGS. 3-8 and 3-9, a high contrastwill be apparent in the selected play area profile bit map between pixelvalues corresponding to locations in the play area that are scratchedoff and those pixel values corresponding to locations in the play areathat are not scratched off. At block 637, controller 532 may determinethat a ticket has been played if the pixel values corresponding to theplay area indicate that more than a predetermined percentage of thescratch-off material has been removed. In one specific embodiment,controller 532 determines that a ticket has been played if the pixelvalues in the material detection bit map indicate that more than about20 percent of the scratch-off material is removed.

If controller 532 at block 637 determines that less than a predeterminedpercentage of scratch-off material has been removed from a play areathen controller at block 638 may cause a “Ticket Has Not Been Played”message to be displayed and then proceed to block 615 to reject theticket.

At block 580, if the ticket has not been rejected controller 532executes another decision stage to determine whether controller 532 willexecute a “Tamper Detection” subroutine. In a “Tamper Detection”subroutine, controller 532 determines whether a ticket has been tamperedwith by a player or agent. In a tamper detection subroutine, controller532 may determine whether small portions of the scratch-off materialhave been removed by a ticket agent or probability game player with theintention of determining variable indicia of the game ticket whilemaintaining the appearance that the ticket has not been played. In asophisticated “Tamper Detection” subroutine, controller 532 may attemptto determine whether a portion of the scratch-off material has beenlifted, then placed back on the ticket, or replaced with counterfeitscratch-off material.

In one embodiment, as described with reference to the flow diagram ofFIG. 6-3, the method by which controller 532 determines whether a tickethas been tampered with is similar to the method by which controllerdetermines if a ticket has been played. At block 640 controller 532determines a reference point on the game ticket, at block 641 controller532 reads physical characteristic data from lookup table 590corresponding to the present ticket identification code, at block 642controller 532 locates the image data from the bit map corresponding tothe play area based on the physical characteristic game data, and atblock 643 controller 532 analyzes the image data of the play area todetermine whether the ticket has been tampered with. Of course, thelocation of image data of the material detection bit map whichcorresponds to the play area does not have to be re-determined at blocks640-642 if the location as is the case with image data has previouslybeen determined at blocks 634-636.

As is the case with the scratch-off material removal detection routinedescribed with reference to FIG. 6-3, controller 532 at decision block643 makes a determination as to whether a ticket has been tampered withbased on the percentage of pixel values in the material detection bitmap having light values. If the percentage is above a firstpredetermined value but below a second predetermined value, then thecondition that the ticket has been pin pricked or otherwise tamperedwith is deemed to have been indicated. In one illustrative example ofthe invention, the condition that the game ticket has been tampered withis indicated in the bit map representation of the play area, thenbetween about 0.5 percent and about 5 percent of the bit map pixelvalues have lighter values. If the determination is made at block 643that the ticket has been tampered with then controller causes a“Tampered Ticket” message to be displayed at block 644 then rejects theticket at block 615.

It will be seen that where controller 532 is configured in such a waythat it may carry out both the scratch-off material removal detectionroutine described in connection with the flow diagram of FIG. 6-2 andthe tamper detection removal subroutine of FIG. 6-3, then the subroutinefor determining whether a ticket has been played should be modified sothat the ticket can be subjected to a tamper detection subroutinewithout being rejected at block 637 on the basis of less then thethreshold percentage of play area bit map pixel values having lightvalues. To the end that the ticket will not be rejected at block 637despite less than the threshold percentage of bit values in the playarea of the bit map having light values, then controller can be causedto execute an additional decision at block 646 as indicated in thealternative flow diagram of FIG. 6-4 after executing block 637 in whichcontroller 532 determines whether less than a trace amount (for example,0.5 percent) of the scratch-off material has been removed. In thisembodiment, controller 532 will determine that the ticket has not beenplayed only if the bit map information reveals that none or essentiallynone of the scratch-off material has been removed, and will cause “NotPlayed” message to be displayed at block 638 and will reject ticket atblock 615 only if a trace-amount percentage or less (such as 0.5percent) of the play area bit map pixel values have light values.Furthermore if the tamper detection routine will determine whethertampering has taken place based on the percentage of play area bit mapbit values having light values, then controller 532 can be made to skipexecution of decision stage 580 if controller determines at block 637that a ticket played indicating percentage of play area values havelight values.

The illustrative indicating percentages provided thus far have beengiven for the case that the game ticket 202 presented to reader 510includes a play area comprising a uniformly applied layer of scratch-offmaterial. It will be understood that the selection indicatingpercentages which indicate the various conditions, e.g., that the tickethas been played, has not been played, or has been tampered with, willvary depending on the percentage of play area that is originally coveredby a detectable scratch-off material when the ticket is manufactured.

In addition to or in place of the percentage light bit value tamperdetection subroutine, controller 532 can be configured to carry outalternative methods for determining whether a game ticket has beentampered. Many such tamper detection methods are based on characterrecognition techniques as will be described herein.

In an alternative tamper detection subroutine, controller 532 analyzespixel values of a play area profile bit map to determine if patterns arepresent in the play area image data indicative of an attempted tamperingscheme. FIGS. 3-10 and 3-11 show video images corresponding to tamperedgame tickets. The image data corresponding to the video images of FIGS.3-10 and 3-11 were captured using a controlled-reflectance scratch-offmaterial detection scheme configured according to the system of FIG.3-6. FIGS. 3-10 and 3-11 are video images of game tickets that have beensubjected to pin pricking.

A pattern indicative of a pin prick can be detected by searching for asmall number, 1 to N, of contiguous pixels corresponding to points of anicon layer surrounded by scratch-off material pixels. The small numbercontiguous pixel which can be considered to constitute a pin prick willvary depending on the resolution of the imaging system.

In a lifting tampering scheme, a subtle jagged line, arc or circle isnormally formed in a play area. A well known line searching algorithm,such as a wall hugging scheme or a Hough transform accordingly can beemployed to search in captured image data for a pattern indicative of alifting tampering scheme.

A play area of a game ticket can be especially adapted to simplify thetask of a tamper detection. As mentioned in Section II herein,scratch-off material can be formed in predetermined fragmented patternso that a taper attempt is indicated by a mismatch or discontinuity inthe predetermined pattern.

In another adaptation for simplifying tamper detection in a systemcomprising an additive based material detection scheme or a controlledreflectance detection scheme a predetermined pattern may be formed inouter layer 238 or 238′ which can be recognized by the particularimaging system which will be employed. The predetermined pattern whichpreferably comprised contiguous lines may be formed in area over a playarea that is slightly larger than a play area. The predetermined patternenables a lifting scheme or pin prick scheme to be detected by detectinga discontinuity in the predetermined pattern. If a game ticketmanufactured according to a controlled reflectance material detectionscheme is to be made so that there is a detectable contrast between abackground, a pattern, and a tamper detection pattern of an outer layer,then the background, pattern, and tamper detection pattern of the outerlayer can be manufactured to have first, second, and third reflectancecharacteristic respectively.

With reference again to the main program shown in FIG. 5-4, controller532 executes decision block stage 581 after executing “Tamper Detection”subroutine or after determining at block 580 that a flag has not beenraised. At decision stage 581, controller 532 polls a flag whose statusdetermines whether controller 532 will validate the game ticket byapplication of a validation routine that is resident in memory space.The status of this flag may be determined by either a flag statusindicator that is stored in lookup table 590 or by an indicator in apredetermined address of memory space that is from time to time writtento by host processor 558, or both.

In general, lottery game tickets are validated by applying the gameticket identification code of a ticket to a validating algorithm whichdetermines whether the ticket is winner. By design, the features of avalidating algorithm are kept secret so that a ticket agent cannotdetermine the win/loss status of a game ticket by determining anidentification code for a game ticket. With reference to networkhierarchy diagram of FIG. 5-3, a main security validating algorithm maybe stored in a memory space 559 of remote host processor system 558,where it is maintained and updated (to encompass the identificationcodes of new tickets, or to surmount security breaches, for example),and may be periodically downloaded to local host processor 558, whichperiodically downloads the validating algorithm to reader 510.

In subroutine 575-5, controller 532 reads the ticket identification codefrom the memory address of memory space 548 where it has been previouslystored and jumps to the EROM address at which the most recent validatingalgorithm has been written to, executes the algorithm and reads theresult. If according to the algorithm the ticket is not a winner, thencontroller 532 proceeds to decision stage 582. Eventually, controller532 at block 650 will cause display of a “Ticket Not a Winner” messageif according to the algorithm the ticket is not valid. If according tothe validation algorithm the ticket is a winner then controller 532 alsojumps to decision stage 583 and eventually will cause a “Ticket is aWinner” message to be displayed at block 650 (FIG. 6-5).

At block 582 controller 532 polls the status of an “External Validation”subroutine flag for determining whether controller 532 will validate thepresent ticket using a validating algorithm stored in a memory spaceexternal to reader 510. This decision stage will normally be executedonly if the “Internal Validation” subroutine flag polled at block 581 islowered. Like the internal validation flag, the status of the externalvalidation flag can be raised or lowered either by an indicator of alookup table 590 or by an indicator in a memory space address of reader510 which is written to periodically by local host processor system 558.A game designer may provide an external validation flag status indicatorin lookup table 590 if the designer wishes that tickets of that style bevalidated externally each time they are read. Local host processorsystem 558 may write an external validation algorithm flag statusindicator to memory space 548 of reader 510 in the case that, forexample, because of a security problem, or because of a change in thevalidation algorithm, it is desired to validate the game ticketexternally.

When an external validation flag is raised, then controller 532 may readthe ticket identification code, upload the identification code to localhost processor system 558, where it is applied to a validatingalgorithm, then receive an indicator from local host processor system558 as to the win/loss status of the game ticket. Controller 532 atblock 650 will cause to be displayed the appropriate “Ticket is aWinner” or “Ticket is not a Winner” depending upon the win/loss statusof the game ticket as determined by the validating algorithm.

If reader 510 is equipped in accordance of a controlled reflectancematerial detection system described with reference to FIG. 3-6, and ifreader 510 and ticket 202 are made so that contrast is evident between apattern and background of icon layer 226′ then controller 532 mayexecute an additional check on the validity of a ticket by determiningwhether exposed patterns an icon layer in one or several play areas arein accordance with a criteria indicative of a winning ticket.

At block 583, controller 532 polls the status of a “Branding” subroutineflag for controlling whether controller will execute a brandingsubroutine. In a “Branding” subroutine reader 510 subjects a game ticketto an energy source so that brandable ink formed on the game ticketbecomes visible. In executing decision stage 583 controller 532 normallyreads a flag status indicator of lookup table 590 in order to determinethe status of a branding subroutine flag.

An example of a “Branding” subroutine according to the invention isdescribed with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 6-5. At block 655,controller 532 issues the appropriate command to cause brander 520 toenergize and brand ticket 202. The timing of the issuance of thiscommand should be selected so that substantially all of a surface of theticket is exposed to the energy emanating from brander 520. Preferably,transport mechanism 514 holds ticket 202 in a stationary position when aticket is branded.

After ticket 202 is branded at block 655, controller 532 can be made tocheck if the branding was successful. A determination that the brandingwas not successful will indicate that the ticket did not includebrandable ink and that therefore the ticket is not authentic.

In order to determine whether the branding was successful, controller532 at block 656 may issue a command to transport motor PCB board 546 tocause transport of ticket 202 in a reverse direction. While ticket 202is transported in a reverse direction, controller 532 is made to captureimage data representing image signals generated by bottomside imagesensor 522B in the manner described previously so that controller 532captures at block 657 a second bit map representation of indicia formedon the bottomside of the game ticket.

At block 658, controller 532 locates the identification code representedin the second bit map, then at block 659, analyzes the image data in thebar code symbol portion of the bit map to determine, based oncharacteristics of that image data, whether the ticket has been branded.The determination of whether a ticket has been branded can be made atblock 659 by attempting to decode a located bar code symbol if theticket is of a type having brandable material formed thereon accordingto such a pattern that an identification code symbol is obscured whenthe material is branded. If the symbol which was successfully decoded atblock 617 cannot be decoded at block 659, there is an indication thatthe ticket has been successfully branded. If at block 659, controller532 determines that the branding was not successful then controller 532may cause a “Ticket not Authentic” or “Counterfeit Ticket” message to bedisplayed on display screen at block 660. Controller 532 may also bemade to search for a brand pattern in accordance with a method describedin connection with block 618 or 618′ in order to determine whether theticket branding was successful.

In the case the branding was successful, controller 532 at block 650causes the appropriate ticket win/loss status to be displayed beforeejecting the ticket at block 662.

While this invention has been described in detail with reference to apreferred embodiment, it should be appreciated that the presentinvention is not limited to that precise embodiment. Rather, in view ofthe present disclosure which describes the best mode for practicing theinvention, many modifications and variations would present themselves tothose skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit ofthis invention, as defined in the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A voidable document comprising: a substrate; aconductive material supported on said substrate according to apredetermined pattern defining a relatively higher resistance section ofsaid conductive material; and brandable material supported on saidsubstrate at a specific location of said substrate, wherein saidrelatively higher resistance section is formed at or about said specificlocation of said brandable material, so that, when voltage is appliedacross said conductive material, a relatively higher amount of heat insaid conductive material is generated at or about said specific locationof said brandable material.
 2. The voidable document of claim 1, whereinsaid conductive material is printable conductive material.
 3. Thevoidable document of claim 1, wherein said brandable material isprintable thermochromatic ink.
 4. The voidable document of claim 1,wherein said conductive material is defined by a plurality of conductivesections and wherein said relatively higher resistance conductivesection includes a relatively smaller average cross-sectional area thansaid remaining conductive sections.
 5. The voidable document of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of contact pads formed in electricalcontact with said conductive material.
 6. A method for branding aspecific predetermined location of a document, said method comprisingthe steps of: forming brandable material at said specific predeterminedlocation of said document; applying conductive material to said documentaccording to a predetermined pattern so that a relatively higherresistance section of said conductive material is defined on saiddocument at or about said specific predetermined location; and supplyinga voltage across said conductive material so that said relatively higherresistance section emits heat about said predetermined area sufficientto effect an observable change in said brandable material.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein said applying step included the step of printingsaid conductive material on said document.
 8. The method of claim 6,wherein said forming step includes the step of printing thermochromaticink on said document.
 9. The method of claim 6, wherein said applyingstep includes the step of forming a plurality of conductive sections onsaid document, wherein said relatively higher resistance sectionincludes a smaller cross sectional area than said remaining conductivesections.
 10. A document voiding system comprising: a documentcomprising brandable material formed at a specific predeterminedlocation thereon, and conductive material applied thereon according to apredetermined pattern wherein a relatively higher resistance section ofsaid conductive material is formed at or about said predeterminedlocation; an apparatus for processing said document, said apparatuscomprising a voltage source, wherein said apparatus is configured sothat said voltage source supplies voltage to said conductive materialwhen said document is received in said apparatus, said voltage being ofsuch a level that heat generated about said predetermined area resultingfrom current flowing through said relatively higher resistance sectionof said conductive material is sufficient to cause an observable changein said brandable material.
 11. The system of claim 10, wherein saidconductive material formed on said document comprises conductive ink.12. The system of claim 10, wherein said brandable material formed onsaid document comprises printable thermochromatic ink.
 13. The system ofclaim 10, wherein said apparatus includes a feed path, and wherein saidapparatus is adapted to supply voltage to said document when saiddocument is manually inserted into said feed path.
 14. The document ofclaim 1, wherein said brandable material is formed on said document in aspecific brand pattern.
 15. The method of claim 6, wherein saidbrandable material is formed on said document in a specific brandpattern.
 16. The system of claim 10, wherein said brandable material isformed on said document in a specific brand pattern.